4G smartphone shipments in India to rise 3% in 2026 as costly 5G pushes buyers towards budget devices: Counterpoint

India’s smartphone market is witnessing an unlikely revival in 4G devices, with shipments expected to grow 3% year-on-year in 2026 despite a broader market slump, as rising component costs push several 5G models into higher price bands, according to Counterpoint Research.

The recovery marks a sharp reversal from 2025, when India’s 4G smartphone shipments declined 48% year-on-year. Counterpoint expects 4G’s share of total smartphone shipments to rise to 13% in 2026 from 11% in 2025, indicating that the technology is gaining relevance beyond its traditional entry-level positioning.

The shift is particularly visible among price-sensitive consumers in the sub-₹10,000 and ₹10,000-₹20,000 segments, where buyers are increasingly weighing specifications and value against the higher prices associated with 5G smartphones.

OEMs expand 4G portfolios in ₹10,000-₹20,000 segment

Smartphone makers are responding by widening their 4G offerings in the budget segment. The number of OEMs offering 4G smartphones priced between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 has risen from just two in 2025 to 12 in 2026 so far, Counterpoint said.

Senior Analyst Prachir Singh said the recovery is increasingly extending beyond the traditional entry-level segment, with the ₹10,000-₹20,000 category emerging as a key growth area.

According to Singh, consumers are seeking better specifications and device experiences without paying the premium associated with 5G. The expansion of 4G portfolios is consequently helping OEMs address demand as rising costs push 5G devices towards higher price points.

4G share could reach 15% by 2027

The trend could extend into next year. Counterpoint Research expects 4G’s share of India's smartphone market to increase further to 15% in 2027 from 13% in 2026.

Research Director Tarun Pathak said the trend represents a broader change in the role of 4G rather than merely a temporary response to higher smartphone prices. With component prices unlikely to normalise soon, consumers are increasingly balancing specifications against affordability.

This could encourage smartphone makers to introduce more capable 4G models across the sub-₹20,000 segment, positioning 4G less as an entry-level connectivity option and more as a value proposition for budget-conscious buyers.